Patent Application
20240315394
The present invention relates generally to the field of insole devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a modified footwear insole with comfortable padding on the ball of the foot and heel area. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in insole devices. Generally, high heels, boots, and various other footwear can be uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. Thus, people may try to use different types of insoles for their footwear but still experience discomfort due to a lack of support. Further, walking in these types of footwear can cause blisters and potential deformities if people wear the shoes for long periods of time.
Conventionally, high heel shoes are constructed such that the user's weight is shifted primarily onto the ball of the foot and the toes. This can cause a large amount of pressure to be placed on a small area of the foot, rather than distributed more evenly throughout the entire foot and heel. As a result, the user's weight is shifted unnaturally forward, which can cause the user to compromise her posture. This change in posture can create pressure in the lower back, tension, and curvature in the shoulders, joint pain, muscle tightness, and general discomfort. Additionally, excess weight in the toes and ball of the foot can cause foot cramping, arch compression, and pronation, as well as bunions. In addition to causing discomfort to the user, conventional high heels can cause injury, either permanent or temporary, particularly after repeated or prolonged use.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved insole device that provides users with comfortable padding on the ball of the foot and heel area. More particularly, there is a demand for an insole device that improves comfort for high heels and other strapped footwear that typically cannot accommodate an insert and doesn't interfere with how the shoe flexes when walking.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an insole device that provides users with a modified footwear insole with comfortable padding on the ball of the foot and heel area. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an insole device that utilizes flexible silicone to form fit within the footwear without interfering with how the shoe flexes when walking. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an insole device that functions as an insole for high heels and other strapped footwear that typically cannot accommodate an insert. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that improves comfort and minimizes the stress placed on the feet while wearing high heels, boots, and other types of footwear. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an insole device that is made from a soft, flexible material to support the foot and to provide comfort while in use. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an insole device that fits into any shoe with at least one-inch platform to accommodate the device.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an insole device. The device is a shoe insole capable of providing comfort to regions of the foot that experience high amounts of pressure such as the ball or heel of the foot. The insole device comprises a body component that is configured in the shape of a shoe insole with padding localized in specific areas, such as at the heel and ball of the foot. The body component is sized and shaped to be inserted into a bottom of a shoe that is at least an inch platform to allow space to insert the insole device where the ball of the foot and heel will rest. Thus, it becomes part of the sole of the shoe during use. Further, the insole device is comprised of a soft, flexible material, such as silicone, to support the foot and provide comfort while in use. Further, the insole device is flexible, so that the insole device does not interfere with how the shoe typically flexes as the user walks. The insole device will be particularly well suited for notoriously uncomfortable shoes, such as high heels, strapped footwear, boots, etc.
In this manner, the insole device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with a device that provides comfortable padding on the ball of the foot and heel area when wearing high heels. The device is a flexible insole that minimizes the stress placed on the feet. The device can be manufactured of a silicone material.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an insole device. The device is a shoe insole capable of providing comfort to regions of the foot that experience high amounts of pressure such as the ball or heel of the foot. The insole device comprises a body component that is configured in the shape of a shoe insole with padding localized in specific areas, such as at the heel and ball of the foot. The body component is sized and shaped to be inserted into the bottom of a shoe that is at least an inch platform to allow space to insert the insole device. Thus, it becomes part of the sole of the shoe during use. The insole device will be particularly well suited for notoriously uncomfortable shoes, such as high heels, strapped footwear, boots, etc.
In one embodiment, the insole device can be utilized with high heels, strapped footwear, boots, etc., or any other conventional shoes as is known in the art. Moreover, it should be appreciated that although the embodiments shown in the figures are in the form of high heel pump style shoes, all styles and heights of high heel shoes are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention, including, for example, high heel boots and sandals, etc.
In one embodiment, the insole device is utilized with a conventional shoe. The shoe comprises an upper, an insole, an outsole and a high heel. The upper is provided with generally conventional or convenient construction for the type of shoe desired, such as an open upper for a sandal-type shoe, with one or more straps for securing the shoe to the user's foot. The upper can be provided in any style desired, such as, but not limited to, an upper for a partially or substantially closed high heel shoe, or an upper for either a low or a high heel boot. The upper is made from any suitable material to obtain any desired fashion or appearance of the shoe.
Further, the outsole and heel are also of generally conventional or convenient construction as desired. The outsole is typically made from leather, imitation leather, or rubber material, but can be made from any other material suitable for outsoles. The heel is conventionally made with a center support shank and then covered with a desired material, such as, but not limited to, leather, imitation leather, fabric, acrylic, or painted, to visibly, functionally, or fashionably complement the upper and the insole of the shoe. More recent shoe construction includes the use of an outsole and high heels that are integrally molded from rubber or plastic as a single part. Still, other high heel type shoes are commonly referred to as wedge shoes, in which the heel is generally wedge-shaped when viewed from the side to raise the heel end of the outsole and insole to the desired height above the forepart of the shoe. The present invention can be used with all of these, and other types and configuration uppers, outsoles, and heels. Designation of the specific configurations and materials of these parts of the shoe are not a part of the present invention but are included only to provide for a complete shoe. The construction of the invention can be used universally for any style of shoe.
In a conventional manner, the insole is configured with the foot-shape profile of the shoe, with a toe end, a heel end, an outwardly projecting profile corresponding to the position of the ball of the foot shape, an arch profile corresponding to the position of the arch of the foot shape, and a forepart established between the toe end and the arch profile. Further, the insole device for a high heel according to the present invention is inserted into a woman's high heel and is configured to be detachable so that it can be replaced if necessary.
In one embodiment, the insole device comprises a body component that has the desired outer profile corresponding to the desired foot-shape profile of the finished insole and the finished shoe and thus includes a toe end, a heel end, a projection, an arch profile and a forepart corresponding to the shape of the finished insole. The body component is provided at any convenient thickness, such as, but not limited to, a commercially available thickness of between approximately 3/64 to 1/16 inch thick. The actual thickness of the body component will be provided as appropriate for the shoe style, such as approximately one inch thick for higher profile shoes, and may be alternately configured thinner for lower profile shoes.
In one embodiment, a padded heel portion is attached to the top side of the body component, near where a user's heel would be positioned. The padding is provided at a convenient thickness, such as, but not limited to, between approximately ⅛ to 5/16 inches thick. The padding is of a flexible, yet rigid construction to provide structural support to the heel end of a user's heel to support the weight of the user at the heel end of the shoe. In one embodiment, the padded heel portion absorbs the impact of the back, to which the initial pressure is applied during walking, and thus greatly helps protect a user's joints. Further, the padded heel portion supports the concave portion of the sole and prevents the foot from slipping forward, and prevents the heel from shaking during walking.
The padding receives the user's heel and helps prevent the heel from sliding forward. By holding the user's heel in place, the heel does not drop toward the ball of the foot, compressing the foot and causing cramping. Rather, the foot is permitted to stretch out comfortably within the shoe, without unnecessary stress on the toes and ball of the foot. Thus, the padding allows the user to settle more weight into the heel than in a conventional high heel shoe. In a conventional shoe, the user's weight is shifted forward, and the leg extends upward from the shoe at a forward tilted angle. In contrast, by settling the heel into the padding, the user can stand comfortably upright, with the ankle and calf extending generally straight up from the shoe. This encourages a more natural posture in the user.
By allowing the user to stand more upright, the high heel shoe with the insole device of the present invention helps to improve the user's posture, correct lower back problems, and allows the shoes to be worn for extended periods of time without pain and long term injury to the feet or body. Further, the user can comfortably stand taller and walk straighter in conventional high heels with the device applied.
In one embodiment, padding is disposed along the toe area of the body component, generally where a user's toes and the ball of the foot would fall. The padded toe portion allows the user's football to be supported and maintain contact with the shoe. This allows more complete weight distribution along the entirety of the foot, to prevent strain and painful pressure to the foot. The padding can be of any appropriate resilient cushioning material, such as foam or memory foam.
In one embodiment, the padded heel portion is formed to be higher than the height of the padded toc portion, so as to protrude upward. It is of course possible to form the padded portions differently depending on the pressure or the shape of the sole of the foot, as is known in the art.
In one embodiment, the body component comprises a firm outer perimeter, so as to prevent the sides of the padded portions from visibly bulging when the shoe is walked in.
In one embodiment, the intermediate or middle area of the body component is formed in an ergonomic shape that is formed by a curved line corresponding to the shape of the sole, so that the middle portion of the sole that is in close contact with the inclined portion is not pushed forward.
In one embodiment, the insole device does not have an intermedial or middle area but instead has two distinct padded portions which can be secured to the toe area and to the heel area of a shoe's insole.
In one embodiment, the padded portions are made of an elastic and flexible material with physical properties such as shock absorption and high repulsion elasticity, absorbing the impact as much as possible, improving comfort and fatigue prevention performance by returning energy. In one embodiment, the clastic and flexible material is silicone. Further, the material allows the insole device to be flexible so that the insole device does not interfere with how the shoe typically flexes as the user walks.
Suitable materials include, but are not limited to EPDM, neoprene polyurethane, or natural open-cell or closed-cell foam. In alternate embodiments, the outer midsole perimeter is made from, for example, a molded plastic or rubber that is characterized as relatively firm in outward directions, to stabilize the profile of the midsole as the shoe is walked in, but that is sufficiently flexible perpendicular thereto for comfortable walking.
It should be understood that the dimensions of the high heel shoe and all components of the insole device will vary depending on the foot and shoe size of the user, the style of the shoe, and the height of the heel. For example, in larger shoe sizes, the length of the body component will be adjusted correspondingly to be longer and/or wider as necessary.
Some embodiments of the present invention comprise additional features such as additional insole cushion layers, or other features as known in the art. Further, the shoe utilized with the device may be made of any suitable materials, such as leather, fabric, plastic, cork, felt, and/or rubber, without departing from the underlying idea or principles of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.
In yet another embodiment, the insole device comprises a plurality of indicia.
In yet another embodiment, a method of improving comfort and minimizing stress placed on the feet while wearing high heels, boots, and other types of footwear is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an insole device comprising a body component with padding localized in specific areas, such as at the heel and ball of the foot. The method also comprises cutting and shaping the body component to fit the insole of a specific pair of shoes.
Further, the method comprises inserting the body component into the specific pair of shoes, such that the heel and toe areas are padded. Finally, the method comprises utilizing a pair of shoes to walk in.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an insole device that provides users with a modified footwear insole with comfortable padding on the ball of the foot and heel area. There is also a long-felt need in the art for an insole device that utilizes flexible silicone to form a fit within the footwear without interfering with how the shoe flexes when walking. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an insole device that functions as an insole for high heels and other strapped footwear that typically cannot accommodate an insert. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that improves comfort and minimizes the stress placed on the feet while wearing high heels, boots, and other types of footwear. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for an insole device that is made from a soft, flexible material to support the foot and to provide comfort while in use. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for an insole device that fits into any shoe with at least a one-inch platform to accommodate the device.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel insole device. The device is a shoe insole capable of providing comfort to regions of the foot that experience high amounts of pressure such as the ball or heel of the foot. The insole device comprises a body component that is configured in the shape of a shoe insole with padding localized in specific areas, such as at the heel and ball of the foot. The body component is sized and shaped to be inserted into a bottom of a shoe that is at least an inch platform to allow space to insert the insole device. Thus, it becomes part of the sole of the shoe during use. Further, the insole device is flexible, so that the insole device does not interfere with how the shoe typically flexes as the user walks. The insole device will be particularly well suited for notoriously uncomfortable shoes, such as high heels, strapped footwear, boots, etc. The present invention also includes a novel method of improving comfort and minimizing stress placed on the feet while wearing high heels, boots, and other types of footwear. The method includes the steps of providing an insole device comprising a body component with padding localized in specific areas, such as at the heel and ball of the foot. The method also comprises cutting and shaping the body component to fit the insole of a specific pair of shoes. Further, the method comprises inserting the body component into the specific pair of shoes, such that the heel and toe areas are padded. Finally, the method comprises utilizing a pair of shoes to walk in.
Referring initially to the drawings,
Generally, the insole device 100 can be utilized with high heels, strapped footwear, boots, etc., or any other conventional shoes 110 as is known in the art. Moreover, it should be appreciated that although the embodiments shown in the figures are in the form of high heel pump style shoes, all styles and heights of high heel shoes are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention, including, for example, high heel boots and sandals, etc., or any other suitable shoes as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user 112.
As stated supra, the insole device 100 is utilized with a conventional shoe 110. The shoe 110 comprises an upper 114, an insole 116, an outsole 118, and a high heel 120. The upper 114 is provided with generally conventional or convenient construction for the type of shoe 110 desired, such as an open upper for a sandal-type shoe, with one or more straps for securing the shoe 110 to the user's foot 108. The upper 114 can be provided in any style desired, such as, but not limited to, an upper 114 for a partially or substantially closed high heel shoe, or an upper 114 for either a low or a high heel boot. The upper 114 is made from any suitable material to obtain any desired fashion or appearance of the shoe 110.
Further, the outsole 118 and heel 120 are also of generally conventional or convenient construction as desired. The outsole 118 is typically made from leather, imitation leather, or rubber material, but can be made from any other material suitable for outsoles. The heel 120 is conventionally made with a center support shank and then covered with a desired material, such as, but not limited to, leather, imitation leather, fabric, acrylic, or painted, to visibly, functionally, or fashionably complement the upper 114 and the insole 116 of the shoe 110. More recent shoe construction includes the use of an outsole 118 and high heel 120 that are integrally molded from rubber or plastic as a single part. Still, other high heel type shoes are commonly referred to as wedge shoes, in which the heel 120 is generally wedge-shaped when viewed from the side to raise the heel end of the outsole 118 and insole 116 to the desired height above the forepart of the shoe 110. The present invention can be used with all of these, and other types and configurations uppers 114, outsoles 118, and heels 120. Designation of the specific configurations and materials of these parts of the shoe 110 are not a part of the present invention but are included only to provide for a complete shoe 110. The construction of the invention can be used universally for any style of shoe 110.
In a conventional manner, the insole 116 is configured with the foot-shape profile of the shoe 110, with a toe end 122, a heel end 124, an outwardly projecting profile 126 corresponding to the position of the ball 106 of the foot shape, an arch profile 128 corresponding to the position of the arch of the foot shape, and a forepart 130 established between the toe end 122 and the arch profile 128. Further, the insole device 100 for a high heel 110 according to the present invention is inserted into a woman's high heel and is configured to be detachable so that it can be replaced if necessary.
As shown in
Furthermore, a padded heel portion 210 is attached to the top side 212 of the body component 102, near where a user's heel 104 would be positioned. The padding 210 is provided at a convenient thickness, such as, but not limited to, between approximately ⅛ to 5/16 inches thick. The padding 210 is of a flexible, yet rigid construction to provide structural support to the heel end of a user's heel 104 to support the weight of the user 112 at the heel end of the shoe 110. In one embodiment, the padded heel portion 210 absorbs the impact of a user's back, to which the initial pressure is applied during walking, and thus greatly helps protect a user's joints. Further, the padded heel portion 210 supports the concave portion of the sole and prevents the foot 108 from slipping forward and prevents the heel 104 from shaking during walking.
The padding 210 receives the user's heel 104 and helps prevent the heel 104 from sliding forward. By holding the user's heel 104 in place, the heel 104 does not drop toward the ball 106 of the foot 108, compressing the foot 108 and causing cramping. Rather, the foot 108 is permitted to stretch out comfortably within the shoe 110, without unnecessary stress on the toes and ball 106 of foot 108. Thus, the padding 210 allows the user 112 to settle more weight into the heel 104 than in a conventional high heel shoe 110. In a conventional shoe 110, the user's weight is shifted forward, and the leg extends upward from the shoe 110 at a forward tilted angle. In contrast, by settling the heel 104 into the padding 210, the user 112 can stand comfortably upright, with the ankle and calf extending generally straight up from the shoe 110. This encourages a more natural posture in the user 112.
By allowing the user 112 to stand more upright, the high heel shoe 110 with the insole device 100 of the present invention helps to improve the user's posture, correct lower back problems, and allows the shoes 110 to be worn for extended periods of time without pain and long term injury to the feet 108 or body. Further, the user 112 can comfortably stand taller and walk straighter in conventional high heels with the device 100 applied.
Furthermore, in another embodiment, a padded toe portion 214 is attached to the top side 212 of the body component 102, near where the ball 106 of the foot 108 would be positioned. Specifically, the padding 214 is disposed along the toe area 200 of the body component 102, generally where a user's toes and ball 106 of the foot 108 would fall. The padded toe portion 214 allows the user's ball 106 of the foot 108 to be supported and to maintain contact with the shoe 110. This allows more complete weight distribution along the entirety of the foot 108, to prevent strain and painful pressure to the foot 108. The padding 214 can be of any appropriate resilient cushioning material, such as foam or memory foam, as is known in the art.
In another embodiment, the padded heel portion 210 is formed to be higher than the height of the padded toe portion 214, so as to protrude upward. It is of course possible to form the padded portions 210, 214 differently depending on the pressure or the shape of the sole of the foot 108, as is known in the art, and depending on the wants and/or needs of a user.
Furthermore, the body component 102 comprises a firm outer perimeter 216, so as to prevent the sides of the padded portions 210 and 214 from visibly bulging when the shoe 110 is walked in. The body component 102 does not require the firm outer perimeter 216 and can operate without it.
Additionally, the intermediate or middle area of the body component 102 is formed in an ergonomic shape that is formed by a curved line (i.e., arch profile 206) corresponding to the shape of the sole, so that the middle portion of the sole that is in close contact with the inclined portion 206 is not pushed forward.
Further, in one embodiment, the insole device 100 does not have an intermedial or middle area (i.e., arch profile 206) but instead has two distinct and independent padded portions 210 and 214 which can be secured to the toe area 122 and/or to the heel area 124 of a shoe's insole 116, as needed. Further, only one padded portion 210/214 can be utilized at a time, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. 112. Additionally, in another embodiment, the padded portions 210 and 214 are independent of each other, allowing a user 112 to choose if they want only a padded toe portion 214 or only a padded heel portion 210, instead of both. Further, the padded heel portion 210 can comprise a toe end 200 without a padded portion or the padded toe portion 214 can comprise a heel end 202 without a padded portion, depending on the wants and/or needs of a user 112. Thus, the insole device 100 can be customized based on the needs and/or wants of a user 112, as well as the type of shoe 110 being utilized with the device 100.
Generally, the padded portions 210 and 214 are made of an elastic and flexible material with physical properties such as shock absorption and high repulsion elasticity, absorbing the impact as much as possible, improving the comfort and fatigue prevention performance by returning energy. In one embodiment, the elastic and flexible material is silicone. Further, the material allows the insole device 100 to be flexible so that the insole device 100 does not interfere with how the shoe 110 typically flexes as the user 112 walks.
Suitable materials include but are not limited to, EPDM, neoprene polyurethane, or natural open-cell or closed-cell foam. In alternate embodiments, the firm outer perimeter 216 is made from, for example, a molded plastic or rubber that is characterized as relatively firm in outward directions, to stabilize the profile of the padded portions 210 and 214 as the shoe 110 is walked in, but that is sufficiently flexible perpendicular thereto for comfortable walking.
As shown in
Further, some embodiments of the present invention comprise additional features such as additional insole cushion layers, or other features as known in the art. Further, the shoe 110 utilized with the device 100 may be made of any suitable materials, such as leather, fabric, plastic, cork, felt, and/or rubber, without departing from the underlying idea or principles of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.
In yet another embodiment, the insole device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 500. The body component 102 of the device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the body component 102, or any other indicia 500 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 500 as is known in the art can be included, such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be shoe, high heel, or brand related.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users, may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “insole device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the insole device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the insole device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the insole device 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/491,369, which was filed on Mar. 21, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63491369 | Mar 2023 | US |
